Without the pressure of semi-final qualification to constrict their play, Dungannon Swifts and Cliftonville served up an entertaining goal-laden Setanta Cup tie at Stangmore Park.

The Reds broke the deadlock after just 100 seconds, Rory Hamill linking up with Chris Scannell to find Mark Patterson 20 yards from the Dungannon goal.

The young midfielder deftly placed a low shot that beat goalkeeper Dwayne Nelson, his full length dive enabling him to get a hand to the ball, but not enough to keep it out. Swifts’ levelled six minutes later with a stunning goal created by Terry Fitzpatrick, who latched onto a pass from JP Gallagher and chested the ball down for Timmy Adamson to volley past John Connolly.

Mark McAllister came off the bench for the injured Adamson, but it was another striker, former Swifts man Rory Hamill, who next hit the net, pouncing on an error and expertly placing the ball just inside the far left post. Three minutes after the interval Aaron Baker punished sloppy defending. Hamill scored his second and McMullan hit a magnificent fourth, brilliantly despatching a free-kick past Nelson.

Dungannon Swifts: Nelson, Mullan, Gallagher, Montgomery, McAliskey, Fitzpatrick, McManus, Baker, Adamson, McGerrigan, McCann. Subs – Tomelty for McManus 64, McAllister for Adamson 27, McMinn, Peden, Murphy, Keegan for McGerrigan 79, Regan

Cliftonville: Connolly, Smyth, O’Hara, Pearse, McMullan, Holland, Catney, O’Neill, Patterson, Hamill, Scannell. Subs – O’Connor for Catney 31, Alexander, Johnston, McKane, Trainor, Sweeney for O’Neill 62

Referee: Stephen Weatherall (Belfast).